Thursday, April 01, 2010

Scorsese to Direct 4-D Biopic of Visionary Knitter

Hollywood, CA. Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese today confirmed rumors that he will direct Triumph of the Wool, the long-awaited cinematic treatment of the epic life of Elizabeth Zimmermann, a British-born knitter whose pioneering work liberated millions from the tyranny of the printed pattern.

“It’s a no-brainer,” said Scorsese. “My work has always celebrated the underdog and the rebel. Elizabeth didn’t take no shit from nobody. That’s my kinda woman.”

The Fourth Dimension

The director was tight-lipped about specific details, but insiders hint that George Lucas’s Industrial Light and Magic has been tapped to supervise CGI fantasy sequences dramatizing the creation of Zimmermann’s mind-bending Baby Surprise Jacket and other signature designs.

Triumph of the Wool would, indeed, be a logical debut vehicle for the company's much-anticipated "AranVision" 4-D technology, which will allow moviegoers to reach out and fondle on-screen yarns and handknits.

Glittering Cast

The A-list cast will include Dolores Van Hoofen, legendary cabaret singer and noted fashionista, in the central role of Elizabeth from her early teenage years onward.

Van Hoofen, speaking poolside at the Bel Air Hotel, pronounced herself “honored as all hell” to be cast and very much looking forward to a reunion with Scorsese, who last teamed with her to produce the unreleased Gangs of Rhinebeck. (Rumors of an on-set affair have been pooh-poohed by both parties.)

No Van Hoofen? Fuggedabouddit!

Scorsese admitted Van Hoofen was the only actress under serious consideration for the role. “Who the fuck else is there right now? Miley fucking Cyrus? Fuggedabouddit. Without DoDo,” he admitted, using his pet name for the notoriously temperamental star, “there is no picture. And check out that great caboose.”

Also to appear are Viggo Mortensen (The Lord of the Rings) as Zimmermann’s husband, Arnold; Lily Tomlin as Barbara Walker; and Meryl Streep (Death Becomes Her, Mamma Mia!) as Zimmermann’s daughter and heir to the company throne, Meg Swansen. (Streep reportedly went into seclusion at her chalet in St Moritz shortly after this year’s Oscars to work on her pronunciation of words like "entrelac" and "antepenultimate.")

Location shooting is slated to begin in Munich and Marshfield, Wisconsin in late spring, with an anticipated release to IMAX theaters in time for Christmas 2012.

Thank you (again) Franklin for a much needed chuckle as I await news of where my son will be going to college .... if he winds up in Chicago .... I guess I'll need yarn store recommendations for visits.

I tried to explain to my 4 year old why I was laughing. She couldn't understand why a famous movie director wouldn't want to make a movie about a famous knitter. She looked baffled when I told her that not everyone thinks knitting is as cool as we do. I love that kid!

"Elizabeth didn't take no shit from nobody"...love it! I once saw a picture of EZ riding a motorcycle with her husband - and she was knitting. EZ, biker babe, Scorcese...it all fits. ;-) Thanks for the giggles.

I just discovered your blog and love it! My husband and are both lawyers by day but he is an avid photographer and I am an avid knitter. I think you are what our daughter is going to be when she grows up! How cool.

Franklin, I love you. And I love the words you use to keep me thinking about knitting and lives.

I have just this morning downloaded your knitting lace border patterns from Knitty.com, having bought some perle cotton yesterday. I am going to have some fun.

I love the references you use in your writing, like 'Mr van der Rohe', is pulls me back to a time in my life (only 35 years or so) when 'Mr van der Rohe' was part of my everyday conversation, those times are long passed, but I do remember a time when I could have an esoteric conversation. What a delight. Thank you so much.

Ah, Franklin, yes, this is the perfect screenplay, and you have found the perfect director and star! Hopefully Harry has a supporting part. EZ was a believer in socks! EZ had such a marvelous, glamorous life in her younger days as a governess to royalty? But, ah, Franklin, just how is Delores around small children? Does Delores do any watercolors? Perhaps Harry can help with his multicolors.

I am late to the party, but wanted to say, thanks for this fool trick.It is April 26, and I just rediscovered the missing blog again, after mulling about what I have read in the past. Me hates when we upgrade the OS and all caches are emptied out and I did not bookmark my important pages.All is well again.

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